Best Positional Fits for Steelers in 2020 Draft

In no way shape or form am I advocating for the Steelers to take a QB at all in this draft. I’ve said on many occasions that I’m highly in favor of them signing a veteran backup in the case that Ben goes down again (not Jameis Winston, however). But if they were to take a QB, Hurts would certainly be the optimal fit. The reason - he’s battle-tested. The guy has seen it all. From SEC defenses, to learning a new offense and thriving within a year, and even coming off the bench as a backup QB when Tua Tagovailoa went down in the National Championship game to lead his Alabama Crimson Tide to victory. He can step in in a pinch and won’t shy away from the moment one bit. A lot of talent evaluators consider Hurts to be “raw” when it comes to his NFL examination. I see it completely the opposite. Jordan Love is raw. Hurts is most ready to step in and lead a team that already has a foundation - like the Steelers. I don’t think this will or should happen - but this is the best fit. 

I think a few things are true. I think the Steelers are determined to give James Conner a chance to rebuild his value this season and very strongly believe in his ability over his durability. I also think if he has a great year he probably prices himself out of a contract extension with Pittsburgh. If he has a rough year again, unless Benny Snell carries the load - then that spells doom for the 2020 version of the Steelers. With those two things in mind, the prudent move is to select a running back at some point in this draft. I think Clyde fits the mold of a desirable back in 2020 because of the way the NFL offensive landscape is changing and his ability to catch the football. I’ve seen Edwards-Helaire compared to both Alvin Kamara and Brian Westbrook. LSU moved him all over the offensive formation last year and he was a key cog in that absolutely stacked championship unit. That is exactly the type of player this team needs. A playmaker who can make this offense multiple. He's a guy they can jump on in the 2nd round if available.  If not Edwards-Helaire, Antonio Gibson out of Memphis is my other favorite fit here. Regardless, the Steelers should and will address the position.

Big School, big body, and big production. He’s a great fit in this offense the way they are currently constituted because he can be a factor from day one. Frequently the Steelers have brought their WR’s along slowly. Look at Antonio Brown, James Washington, and lately Diontae Johnson as an example of that. This is a team that should be in full win-now mode with Ben entering his likely last two seasons - and Pittman is a win-now type wide-receiver. I don’t know that he can be a star, but he will consistently be a top 20-30 wideout in this league because of his size, adaptability, and NFL bloodlines. Pittman, the son of former NFL RB Michael Pittman, stands at 6’4, 220 pounds and caught 101 passes for nearly 1,300 yards and 12 TD’s last year at USC with mediocre QB play. He can step in right away and produce on the outside and in the red-zone - exactly where the team needs it most. 

The team addressed the TE position big-time in FA maybe out of nowhere to some when they signed Eric Ebron to anchor that position for the next few years. They are fine at TE, but still could invest some draft capital in grooming a younger player. I don't think Zach Gentry, last year's TE experiment is a long-term answer by any means. Bryant is a big-bodied tight end who projects to go somewhere between the 3rd and 5th round. He won the Mackey award in 2019 as the nation’s top tight end and had a terrific senior bowl week. If the team decides to still strengthen the position in the mid-rounds, this is a great fit and get.

Great pedigree in a Power-5 conference and just a mauler overall. Simpson could easily be a candidate for the Steelers at pick 49. After losing Ramon Foster to retirement and having everyone else up-front a year closer to father-time, addressing the interior of the offensive line is paramount if the Steelers want to get back to a ground and pound rushing attack. Simpson checks all of the boxes, a multiple year starter at a prolific school who can be seen on tape creating holes left and right for Travis Etienne and Trevor Lawrence in their zone-run scheme. This would allow Stefan Wisniewski to slide into the top backup role at each o-line spot and afford Ben more protection. I don’t think he’d be opposed. Also an ode to former Steelers Marketing Director and Proud IUP Graduate John Simpson, who I'm sure also wouldn't be opposed with the selection!

Remember - not all of these guys are the best fits at 49. Taking into account that I think the team will lean offense early, Fotu is a guy who can be had around the 3rd or 4th round area that can also make an impact from jump street. After losing Javon Hargrave to the Eagles this is certainly a glaring hole for the team. Fotu is a literal mountain and can step in like Casey Hampton playing in the 3-4 base package on early downs. He was incredibly productive at Utah in that role and brings a mean-streak with him that would be endearing to the Yinzer Crazy and Steelers Nation fan-base. I would look around pick 102 or 124 for Fotu, who can mitigate the loss of Hargrave by not trying to fill his shoes alone.

I don’t want to see the Steelers use their 49th overall pick on an OLB like Terrell Lewis. I understand that the depth behind Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt is currently slim to none, but when you have to best position group in the entire league I don’t consider it a pressing need. I think 2021 is the time to draft an OLB early. For now, Willie Gay Jr. (no relation to former Steelers CB “Big Play Willy Gay”) is an interesting prospect. He is an explosively raw player with some red flags. He was suspended eight games in 2019 for cheating in class, something that I’m sure teams can ultimately look past (not advocating cheating guys!) That, along with his raw ability should push him to around the 4th round area where the Steelers would be lucky to nab a player with his skillset.

At Inside Linebacker, remember the name Khaleke Hudson. A local product out of Mckeesport could be had in the later rounds and is freakishly athletic as well, although he struggled a bit with play recognition. 

I know I mentioned him a bit earlier in my Clyde Edwards-Helaire write-up but I like him so much I had to mention him twice. Gibson is a true swiss army knife, as he played both RB and slot WR at Memphis. Heck, he even stepped in at QB at times. He reminds me of Randall Cobb when he was coming out - a player that can immediately return kicks, line up in the slot at WR, and work as your third down back. He’s incredibly versatile and if the Steelers do elect to take a John Simpson or Ashytn Davis to fill a different void in round two - look for Gibson in round three or four as the offensive weapon the Steelers leave the draft with.

Nine days ladies and gentlemen. We will find out all of the answers to these questions in an incredibly deep draft.